Shahbagh intersection shut as students protest

While a student delegation was holding talks at the Secretariat with a six-point demand, another group of students blocked the Shahbagh intersection in the capital with a three-point demand. The blockade began around 6:00 pm on Wednesday, July 15, halting all vehicular movement through the Shahbagh intersection. Students at the sit-in were chanting slogans demanding the Education Minister's resignation.

The three demands of the students at Shahbagh include: suspending HSC and equivalent examinations until the adverse weather conditions fully improve, ensuring re-examinations for students who could not participate in the July 13 exams due to adverse weather, and the resignation of Education Minister Dr A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon.

Earlier, six representatives of protesting students had left the Education Building premises around 4:45 pm and headed to the Secretariat with a six-point demand, dropping the demand for the Education Minister's resignation. While students had been protesting with a three-point demand that included the minister's resignation, the representatives' list did not include the demand.

The demands of the delegation included: ensuring the opportunity for those who wish to retake examinations held during the adverse weather; for those retaking the same subject, the highest score between the previous and the re-exam should be considered final; and students must receive full marks for erroneous questions in question papers.

The students also demanded that considering the ongoing unstable situation, students be given some time to regain mental stability before re-examinations. Assessment must consider changes made to question patterns without prior notice, which were unfamiliar to students compared to previous years. Additionally, strict and confusing behaviour of some teachers under the guise of 'vigilant guards' during examinations must be stopped to prevent fear and mental pressure on examinees.